Formal and informal writing
Formal and informal writing are two distinct styles that serve different purposes and audiences. Formal writing adheres to standard English grammar rules and presents a serious, impersonal tone. It typically employs longer words and sentences, and is commonly used in academic reports, business letters, and other professional communications. Writers in this style often use third-person language, avoid contractions, and prefer complex sentence structures.
In contrast, informal writing embraces a conversational tone, often using colloquial language and a more personal voice. This style favors shorter words and sentences, making it suitable for personal correspondence, such as emails, blogs, and diaries. Informal writing includes the use of first-person pronouns, contractions, and an inviting tone, reflecting a sense of familiarity and warmth. Understanding the context of the writing—whether it aims to inform, persuade, or entertain—can help writers choose the appropriate style to effectively convey their message.
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Formal and informal writing
The two main types of writing styles are formal and informal. Formal writing uses standard English and correct grammar. When writing formally, writers use longer words in longer sentences. Formal writing is expected in documents such as academic reports and business letters. Writers use informal writing for personal correspondence. Colloquial language and incorrect grammar are often acceptable within informal writing. When writing informally, writers use shorter words in shorter sentences and a warmer tone. Writers use informal writing in personal emails, blogs, diaries, and other types of personal communications.
Overview
Formal writing is comprised of formal language, and informal writing is comprised of informal language. Whether a writer uses formal or informal language depends largely on his or her audience. When writing a letter of complaint to a company, a writer should use formal language. When writing a personal letter to a friend, a writer should use informal language.
The purpose of the correspondence also helps determine whether a writer should use formal or informal language. Most correspondence written to inform or persuade uses formal language. Informal language is almost always used when the purpose is to entertain.
Formal and informal writing have specific characteristics—but these characteristics do not make one type of writing superior to the other. Writers should consider their audience and purpose and use the writing style and writing process that best conveys their message.
Formal Writing
Formal writing has distinct characteristics. It is impersonal had has a serious tone. It is often written in the third person and uses words such as one or the student instead of I, we, or you. "One may see rare lilacs growing along the stream" or "Rare lilacs may be seen growing along the stream" are examples of formal writing." Writers should note, however, that the pronouns I, we, and you are often used in letters of reference, letters of application, and other types of business letters. For example, a letter of rejection may begin with the words "We regret to inform you…"
Formal writing uses "full words." It does not use contractions. For example, it uses it is instead of its, cannot instead of can't, and will not instead of won't. Formal writing usually does not use abbreviations or acronyms. For example, formal writing would use political science instead of poly sci and would spell out Pennsylvania instead of using PA. It would refer to an ID card as an identification card.
Formal writing uses longer sentences containing longer words than are used in everyday speech. This sentence is an example of formal writing: In the event of inclement weather, students should access their local television station's website to view a list of cancellations.
Other characteristics of formal writing include the use of technical language and the passive voice. For example, root directory and defragment are technical terms related to computers. In the active voice, the subject performs the action. For example, in the sentence "Michael changed the light bulb," Michael (the subject) performs the action (he changes the light bulb). In a sentence written in the passive voice, the subject receives the action of the verb. The sentence "The light bulb was changed by Michael" is written in the passive voice. In this sentence, the subject (Michael) receives the action of the verb (was changed).
This excerpt from a company memo uses formal writing:
It has been brought to the attention of management that employees have been parking their cars in spaces that are reserved for upper-level officials within the company. Management is aware that there are not enough spaces in the parking lot for all employees in the company. However, when the parking lot is filled, the lot on Cedar Street may be utilized by employees. This lot is also owned by the company. Cars illegally parked in reserved parking spaces will now be ticketed.
Note that this memo is written in the third person and does not use contractions. The sentences within the memo are fairly complex and most are written in the passive voice.
Informal Writing
Informal writing is basically the opposite of formal writing. While formal writing has a serious tone, informal writing has a personal tone that might even be humorous. Informal writing is colloquial, meaning it is similar to spoken conversation. For example, in the sentence, "You guys are really awesome," the words guys and awesome are colloquial—writers will not find them in formal writing. Informal writing my also use clichés, which are commonly used phrases or opinions. For example, in the sentence "We have loads of homework tonight," the phrase loads of is a cliché. Writers using informal language may also use the imperative voice. The imperative voice issues commands or requests. When writing in the imperative voice, the subject is implied. For example, the sentence "Check your email" is written in the imperative voice. The subject of the sentence—you—is implied.
Informal writing is usually written in the first person, using the pronouns I and we, and refers to the reader as you. Informal writing uses contractions, abbreviations, and acronyms. It uses shorter words in shorter sentences and is often written in the active voice.
This email uses informal writing:
Do you believe that I found a ticket on my car this morning? Dave, our own company had the police give me a ticket! Sure, I parked in Jerry Mayer's parking space. You remember him? He's the vice president of new business. This guy is on the road meeting folks. He's pretty much never here. And there wasn't a single open space, and I was here fifteen minutes early! We're supposed to park on the lot on Cedar Street. But that's two blocks away and unpaved. Please help me out. Write a letter complaining about this.
Note that the tone of this email is friendly and it is written much like spoken conversation. Some words in the email are colloquial, and the author uses the imperative voice. Also note that the email is written in the first person.
Bibliography
"Formal and Informal English." Antimoon. Web. 5 Nov. 2014. http://www.antimoon.com/how/formal-informal-english.htm
"Levels of Formality." The OWL at Purdue. Web. 5 Nov. 2014. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/608/02/
"McAvoy, Jackie. "Writing Skills: Forman & Informal Writing." Onestopenglish. Macmillan Education. Web. 5 Nov. 2014. http://www.onestopenglish.com/skills/writing/lesson-plans/writing-skills-formal-and-informal-writing/146337.article